Under the 1980 Constitution, 20 of the 100 seats in the House of Assembly were reserved for the country's white minority, although whites and other ethnic minorities made up only five per cent of the population. These seats were abolished in 1987.

The sixth House of Assembly, formed following elections held on 31 March 2005, had a total of 150 members. 120 members were directly elected in single member constituencies using the plurality (or First-past-the-post) system. The President appointed 12 additional members and 8 provincial governors who held reserved seats in the House. The remaining 10 seats were held by traditional chiefs who were chosen by their peers. All members served five-year terms.

A 2007 law, to take effect after the 2008 election, expanded the House of Assembly to 210 seats and made it a fully elected body.[1] The appointed and ex officio members were transferred to the Senate. The Seventh House of Assembly was opened on August 26, 2008.